I am stealing this idea directly from Chris Read (Canadian Dad) and while it wasn’t an original idea of his, it was because of his post that I’m creating this one.
Top 5 Driving Songs
His were summer specific but I’ve got no qualms about driving with the same music in the summer or winter. When I think of “driving songs” I imagine something with a fast beat, lyrically upbeat (for the most part) and perhaps something you can sing along to with the windows open. These songs are presented in no particular order other than numerical.
1. Queen – “One Vision”
There are so many great Queen songs that would fit in here. “I Want It All” or “Tie Your Mother Down” or “Headlong” or even that cliché “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Queen is one of my favorite bands, and at almost any time I could listen to one of their albums regardless of my mood. I was in the Millennium Falcon the other day when this song came on and I think I annoyed the kids with my singing along at the top of my lungs.
2. Ramones – “Rockaway Beach”
Rocket To Russia is, in my mind, perhaps the best Ramones album. My favorite is Too Tough To Die. While many songs by this group would fit my criteria, this one seems the most appropriate in many ways for what the song is about. The fact that it’s about driving and hitchin’ a ride is a bonus.
3. Beastie Boys – “Shake Your Rump”
Paul’s Boutique is such an underrated and underappreciated album in so many ways. The whole album is great to listen to in the car, and this track has a decidedly “party” vibe that fits in with the theme.
4. Splatcats – “Sin 73”
I’ve written about this band and album before. This rocking garage-style song is in many ways perhaps the epitome of what a driving song can be.
5. Van Halen – “Every Body Wants Some”
WHOOO!!!! Turn it up! In many ways Van Halen epitomizes the “top down, open road” ideal of having a good time. This song was featured in one of my all-time favorite movies (Better Off Dead) and while I am a fan of Van Halen, and many songs would fit the bill here, this one gets my motor running in a special way.
There you have it. 5 of my top driving songs. Honorable mentions include Cheap Trick’s “He’s A Whore”, ZZ Top’s “La Grange”, Pretenders “Don’t Get Me Wrong”, Def Leppard’s “Rock Of Ages” and Devo’s “Are You Ready?” – and now I’m in the mood to make a Driving Tunes playlist.
How about you?